Grand arrives in San Juan at 4pm. What to do?

[rajones007]

We're looking at the eastern Caribbean cruise on the Grand sometime early next year. I see she pulls into San Juan at 4pm and departs at 10pm.

 

Doesn't that kind of ruin the day in San Juan? I mean, unless Puerto Rico is on some kind of Moon time zone, that won't even be 2 hours of daylight at that time of year (we're looking early-to-mid January).

 

What's there to do when it's dark out? What kind of excursions do they offer at that time of day? I understand San Juan is pretty safe, but I still don't like the idea of wandering the streets after dark.

 

It seems like a wasted port, or am I completely off-base here?

 

(I hope this isn't an annoying and often repeated question. I did a search, but most, if not all, the hits were about people concerned about flights reaching PR in time for a cruise.)

[jollyjones]

One of the reasons I am booking the Grand for next January is because the PR stop is in the evening. I have been to PR a few times before and am unimpressed with the beaches and find the trip to the rainforest to be too far. However, I never tire of just wandering around the old town and soaking up the atmosphere - I travel solo and I don't find it particularly unsafe (any more than other cities) and it's all nearby and accessible (in terms of distance - sadly, it's pretty difficult for scooters or wheelchairs). Usually, ships on stopover (rather than disembarkation/embarkation) are berthed at one of the old town piers so you just walk off the ship and it's all there. Start with the fort (Fort San Felipe del Morro, a world heritage site) as it closes (although I can't remember when) and then wander back down the hill taking in the old streets and churches and shops, maybe stopping for a drink in one of the bars - usually they have tables out on the street - and people watch. Everywhere is brightly lit when it's dark and there's usually a fiesta type feeling in the air.

[JustinPlusLauren]

I've never been to San Juan in the evening, but I once looked up some information on this and I believe there are evening walking tours of Old San Juan. You can walk all around the old town. Also, I'm not sure if you would be able to do this because you leave at 10pm (and I think the excursions for this go until 11pm) but the Bio Bay excursion is awesome...something I've always wanted to do. It is a bioluminscent bay and all sparkly...I would love to do something like that!

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/fajardo-bio-bay/

[jollyjones]

I've never been to San Juan in the evening, but I once looked up some information on this and I believe there are evening walking tours of Old San Juan. You can walk all around the old town. Also, I'm not sure if you would be able to do this because you leave at 10pm (and I think the excursions for this go until 11pm) but the Bio Bay excursion is awesome...something I've always wanted to do. It is a bioluminscent bay and all sparkly...I would love to do something like that!

 

http://www.puertoricodaytrips.com/fajardo-bio-bay/

 

Please don't get too excited about the bioluminescent tour, even though it sounds wonderful - it's in Fajardo which is several hours drive away.

 

Google 'san juan old town' and you'll find lots of info. You really don't need a tour, it's so easy to do on your own.

[rainforestgirl]

Please don't get too excited about the bioluminescent tour, even though it sounds wonderful - it's in Fajardo which is several hours drive away.

 

Google 'san juan old town' and you'll find lots of info. You really don't need a tour, it's so easy to do on your own.

 

The Fajardo biobay is about 1.5 hrs away from OSJ during rush hour, not several hours. Maybe it just seemed like more! However with their time schedule, they can't fit in a biobay trip anyway.

[rainforestgirl]

It is an odd time to come into port, but there are a few things you can do.

The forts are open until 6pm, so you can go into one/both of them.

 

You can walk around exploring on your own, but if you would rather, there are walking tours available after dark. There are food/culture tours, and rum tasting tours. The Christmas lights will still be up,so it is nice just walking around. There are Segways, horse/carriage rides and bike tours just at sunset or before. There is a casino and lots of bars/restaurants,even a place where they will teach you how to dance Salsa.

 

Outside OSJ, there are a few night time adventure tours also.

[cruising oceangal]

It is an odd time to come into port, but there are a few things you can do.

The forts are open until 6pm, so you can go into one/both of them.

 

You can walk around exploring on your own, but if you would rather, there are walking tours available after dark. There are food/culture tours, and rum tasting tours. The Christmas lights will still be up,so it is nice just walking around. There are Segways, horse/carriage rides and bike tours just at sunset or before. There is a casino and lots of bars/restaurants,even a place where they will teach you how to dance Salsa.

 

Outside OSJ, there are a few night time adventure tours also.

 

Hi Rainforestgirl,

 

We are also cruising on the Grand and have the same time slot. Which tour operators do you recommend for the food/culture and rum tasting tours? We wanted to do the bio bay tour but you told us we wouldn't have enough time so we are looking at different options.

 

Thanks!

[rainforestgirl]

Hi Rainforestgirl,

 

We are also cruising on the Grand and have the same time slot. Which tour operators do you recommend for the food/culture and rum tasting tours? We wanted to do the bio bay tour but you told us we wouldn't have enough time so we are looking at different options.

 

Thanks!

 

I can't name names, but there are only 2 that I know of. Do a Google search for Food tour san Juan and Rum tour san Juan. You should get the 2 companies.